On the skin scroll documenting soul arts, Frode once read a record, clearly noting that aside from following conventional steps, there’s another method to learn soul arts:
Through killing and absorbing the special energy of the undead, to assist in practicing soul arts.
This method actually has many limitations and might lead to self-degradation due to the chaotic energy within the undead.
Moreover, the soul arts acquired from absorbing undead must be consistent with the abilities that the undead themselves possessed.
For example, if an undead only knows the ’possession’ ability, then through this special method, the first soul art learned can only be possession.
Most importantly, the effectiveness of the absorbed soul arts may be uncertain, making self-cultivation preferable for more choices and to avoid degeneration.
Previously, Frode never considered using this method.
However, now he has heard about the Spider Undead Lady Cilla.
The Spider Undead is a special undead. The so-called special undead represents having qualities distinct from regular undead, perhaps with a stronger impact on the material realm or possessing abilities different from ordinary undead.
Killing special undead to absorb their soul arts might likely result in gaining their unique abilities, and these would potentially be much stronger than ordinary soul arts!
Of course, the chaotic energy brought by special undead would be more tumultuous, increasing the chances of degeneration.
But oddly enough, Frode is least afraid of degeneration.
With the Samsara Overture, even if he degenerates, it can pull him back. However, it’s better not to degenerate; once truly fallen, it would waste the White Light Bullet, and the absorbed abilities would not return.
Considering the uniqueness of the Spider Undead, Frode’s mind began to lean.
Angel naturally noticed Frode’s thoughts; he, too, is quite inclined to let Frode use the special undead to break through in soul arts, though the final decision rests with Frode himself.
Angel: "Since you have this intention, why not wait a bit longer to see what special ability this Spider Undead possesses."
Frode nodded: "Alright."
In the subsequent period, Angel and Frode temporarily resided in the Ranger’s Cabin on the high ground behind the lake, where they could see the direction of Star Lake Castle.
To avoid making their presence known to the special undead with strong spiritual senses, Angel and Frode refrained from using any energy, instead silently meditating and waiting.
Time flew by, and two days passed.
Frode pushed open the cabin door; the weather was exceptionally clear. Under the sunlight, one could smell the moisture and wood fragrance in the air.
Standing at the doorstep, Frode gazed into the distance at Star Lake Castle.
Just as majestic and calm as usual, the shadows of the trees added a touch of seclusion to it.
Looking at the castle, a doubt rose again in Frode’s heart: Will the Spider Undead really come? The things seen and heard in the talent test stirred by a higher-dimensional spiritual world—can such a stirring truly reflect reality?
"Chirp chirp—"
As Frode looked into the distance, a shadow suddenly flashed across the forest, startling a flock of birds. The shadow was extremely fast, heading straight for the cabin.
When it was about to hit the door, Frode shifted slightly, allowing the shadow to dart inside.
With the shadow indoors, waves of chirping filled the air.
Frode turned around to see the shadow had landed in front of Angel and stopped in his palm, revealing itself—a small seabird with grey feathers.
It was Toby, who had slept for days, finally getting some fresh air.
Toby chirped excitedly, seemingly trying to convey something. Despite Frode’s frequent interactions with Toby, his bird language skills made no progress, allowing him only to discern Toby’s excitement.
Connecting Toby’s outing tasked with scouting undead activity from above, Frode’s eyes lit up: Could it be that Toby has spotted traces of the Spider Undead?
Frode glanced at Angel, for only Angel, a Master of Bird Language, could understand Toby’s intentions.
"It didn’t see the Spider Undead; it’s excited simply because..." Angel paused, lowering his voice, "Gray isn’t here."
Toby initially thought it would be carefree in the Wilderness of Dreams, and at first, it was, roaming freely with Tullas. But one day, Greya discovered the existence of the Wilderness of Dreams and entered it.
Since then, Toby was trapped in the nightmare of training in both reality and the Wilderness of Dreams.
Finally, when Angel left the Barbarian Cave, Toby returned to reality. Without Greya’s strict training, Toby was naturally thrilled, even happily flying through the barren woods.
Frode, as the de facto manager of Originheart City, knew well how harsh Greya was on Toby... One could say, the stone columns in the southern part of the city’s colosseum were practically reserved by Greya.
Thus, Frode understood Toby’s mindset: "Alas, it’s not easy for it either."
Hearing Frode’s sympathetic remarks, Toby flew to his side, chirping a few notes of shared sentiment.
Angel shook his head, laughed, and said, "Although Toby didn’t see the Spider Undead, nor did it sense any undead disturbances nearby, it told me there’s been a slight change in the aura of this forest."
"Change?" Frode was puzzled.
Toby chirped away, yet Frode couldn’t understand any of it, having to rely on Angel once again.
"Some life forms are behaving unusually; for instance, natural enemies meeting but no longer fighting, each remaining in their nests; mice and ants digging deeper burrows, vanishing from sight, creating a noticeable isolation in the mid to lower ecological chain."
Frode: "What does this indicate?"
Angel: "I don’t know yet, but it vaguely suggests that a more aggressive predatory creature might be arriving."
A predator? Frode’s eyes flashed intensely; many animals and insects, despite lacking spirit intelligence, can sense information in the spiritual world with more depth and purity.
Their reactions largely indicate feedback to the external environment.
Based on Angel’s speculation, if a more aggressive predator is coming... could it be that Lady Cilla is about to arrive?
Angel could tell what Frode was contemplating. While stroking Toby’s warm feathers, he said, "Let’s wait a bit longer. If, as Toby says, there’s a distinct change in the forest’s atmosphere, the change’s arrival time isn’t far off."